Amedeo, Her Italian Billionaire(44)
She leaned on him the whole trip.
He felt guilty about upsetting her, but he didn’t seem to want to talk. He helped her up the steps when they arrived at his house. Once she was settled into bed, he changed e his clothing then snuggled next to her.
He was supposed to make sure she was okay if she fell asleep. Would he have the heart to wake her up? He didn’t know, but he was given strict instructions.
“Do you need anything before the movie starts?”
“I think I need some lunch.”
“I’ll make us some sandwiches.”
He went to the kitchen then returned with food for both of them. Violet ate slowly, taking careful bites. She must really be in pain.
“Violet?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry that I upset you. My plan seemed obvious to me, but I guess you weren’t in favor of it. The offer to marry you still stands, but I won’t insist,” he said.
Her gaze took a minute to travel up to his face. “Okay. Thanks, I guess.”
“We don’t need to talk about it now, but if you want to we can.”
“I don’t want to marry you, Amedeo. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
He wasn’t hurt by her words, but they did take him back a little. Maybe he was jaded from so many gold diggers on his doorstep. Violet wasn’t like that. She wanted to stand on her own, but could admit, at least a little bit, when she needed help.
He cleared away the plates.
“If you change your mind, let me know. I want to make sure that you and this baby are taken care of.”
“I get that. I just don’t agree how it should be done.”
“Then come up with a plan.”
“Not sure I can do that at this moment.”
“I’m sorry. Not right now. I get it. Your head hurts. We don’t have to talk about this now,” he said.
He shifted on the bed, propping a pillow behind him. They could just watch the movie and not talk. That would be better. He wouldn’t say something stupid then.
“Thanks, Amedeo. I know you mean well. I overreacted.”
“No, you didn’t. It was what you felt. That’s always genuine.”
She nodded then winced. “Ouch.”
“Oh, honey. Don’t do that. Let’s watch a movie.”
He turned on the television while Violet settled on the bed. He’d watch over her today. He guessed this was kind of like being a parent, but Violet wouldn’t be as needy as a baby would be. He sighed, marveling at how much his life had changed in a short time.
*
Amedeo had made her get into bed the moment they came home from the hospital. He was heating up some soup for her since she didn’t have lunch. She should be flattered. She should probably sit back and enjoy all of this attention, but this wasn’t her life. This wouldn’t be her life when the baby arrived.
She didn’t want to get used to it. She didn’t want to be spoiled. A yawn stopped her thoughts. She did feel tired, but she was hungrier than anything.
“Here’s your soup.”
Violet sat up. “Thanks.”
He put a tray on her lap.
“Can I eat this downstairs?” she said.
“The doctor said bed rest for two days. You aren’t getting up.”
“I’m going to be climbing the walls. Can you bring me my laptop? That way I can try to get some work done.”
He sat on the edge of the bed, shaking his head. “No, Violet. I need you to rest. Besides, it’s Saturday. I’m not even working.”
“Don’t you have things to do?”
“I have laundry and I can do yours.”
“You do your own laundry?”
He laughed. “Yes I do. I don’t pay people to do everything. I find doing laundry therapeutic.”
She smiled. “Okay. I have some dirty clothing.”
“Then I’ll wash it. Then what do you want to do?”
“You don’t have to entertain me.”
He shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m not leaving you alone today. I have somewhere to be tomorrow, but today I’m all yours.”
That sounded wonderful. She’d have his attention, but she couldn’t get used to it. He was here because of the baby. That was it. It wasn’t affection for her. She ate her soup as he sorted the laundry. He left her then came back with a deck of cards. He cleared her empty bowl then sat on the edge of the bed “Cards?”
“I’m not a big card player.”
“Me either. I’ve only used them to play strip poker, but I don’t think that’s appropriate today.”
He was being a gentleman. She’d never let a man treat her like less ever again. In that sense, this was good to be around Amedeo. She’d miss it all when she was gone. She sighed.